Search results for " EPIDEMIOLOGY"
showing 10 items of 704 documents
Whole-genome sequencing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a forensic transmission case.
2019
Abstract Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses are frequently used in the investigation of viral transmission cases in forensic contexts. Here, we present the methods and results of the analysis of a bacterial transmission episode in an alleged child abuse case using complete genome sequences obtained by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) methods. We obtained genomes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from the victim, the suspect, and 29 unrelated controls. The analysis of the genomes revealed that the victim and suspect isolates had identical sequences in both the bacterial chromosome and the single plasmid present in them. One of the local controls was very similar (differing in only 2 SNP…
Perspective: Essential study quality descriptors for data from nutritional epidemiologic research
2017
Pooled analysis of secondary data increases the power of research and enables scientific discovery in nutritional epidemiology. Information on study characteristics that determine data quality is needed to enable correct reuse and interpretation of data. This study aims to define essential quality characteristics for data from observational studies in nutrition. First, a literature review was performed to get an insight on existing instruments that assess the quality of cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies and dietary measurement. Second, 2 face-to-face workshops were organized to determine the study characteristics that affect data quality. Third, consensus on the data descrip…
Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005–16 : an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network
2018
BACKGROUND: The development of a vaccine for norovirus requires a detailed understanding of global genetic diversity of noroviruses. We analysed their epidemiology and diversity using surveillance data from the NoroNet network.METHODS: We included genetic sequences of norovirus specimens obtained from outbreak investigations and sporadic gastroenteritis cases between 2005 and 2016 in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. We genotyped norovirus sequences and analysed sequences that overlapped at open reading frame (ORF) 1 and ORF2. Additionally, we assessed the sampling date and country of origin of the first reported sequence to assess when and where novel drift variants originated.FINDINGS: W…
AISF position paper on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Updates and future directions
2017
Abstract This review summarizes our current understanding of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a multi-factorial systemic disease resulting from a complex interaction between a specific genetic background and multiple environmental/metabolic “hits”. The role of gut microbiota, lipotoxicity, inflammation and their molecular pathways is reviewed in-depth. We also discuss the epidemiology and natural history of NAFLD by pinpointing the remarkably high prevalence of NAFLD worldwide and its inherent systemic complications: hepatic (steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis), cardio-metabolic (cardiovascular disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and type 2 diabetes) and neoplastic (…
Epidemiological and Genetic Characterization of Sapovirus in Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis in Valencia (Spain)
2021
Sapovirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups. Sapovirus infections are seldom investigated in Spain, and its epidemiology in the country is not well known. The use of molecular diagnostic procedures has allowed a more frequent detection of sapoviruses in patients with diarrhea. A total of 2545 stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis attended from June 2018 to February 2020 at the Clinic University Hospital in Valencia, Spain, were analyzed by reverse transcription (RT) and real-time multiplex PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate the etiology of enteric infections. Sapovirus was the second enteric virus detected with a positive rate of 8%, behind norovirus (12…
Epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe, a systematic review: eastern Europe
2018
Background Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are food-borne parasites of global importance. In eastern Europe only fragmented information is available on the epidemiology of these zoonotic parasites in humans and animal populations. In particular for T. solium, on-going transmission is suspected. The aim of this systematic review was to collect the available data and describe the current knowledge on the epidemiology of T. solium and T. saginata in eastern Europe. Methods Literature published in international databases from 1990 to 2017 was systematically reviewed. Furthermore, local sources and unpublished data from national databases were retrieved from local eastern European experts. The…
Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of Human Norovirus Belonging to Several Genotypes from Valencia, Spain
2019
Human noroviruses are responsible for most nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis cases. The GII.2, GII.4, and GII.17 genotypes of human noroviruses have recently arisen as the most frequent genotypes found in humans worldwide. We report here seven nearly complete genomes of these genotypes from patients with acute gastroenteritis in Valencia, Spain.
High prevalence and moderate diversity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the U-bends of high-risk units in hospital
2017
The presence of P. aeruginosa in water supply is clearly identified as a risk factor for P. aeruginosa infection in critical care units, even if routes of transmission are often unclear and remain a matter of debate. We determined here the frequency of U-bends contaminated with P. aeruginosa in high-risk units and described the population structure of this opportunistic pathogen in a non-outbreak situation. Eighty-seven U-bends from sinks of rooms in five wards were sampled 3 times and P. aeruginosa was detected in 121 of the 261 (46.4%) U-bend samples. We genotyped 123 P. aeruginosa isolates with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing and found 41 pulsotypes distri…
An assessment of the test-retest reliability of the New Nordic Diet score
2015
Background : There is a growing interest in the New Nordic Diet (NND) as a potentially health promoting, environmentally friendly, and palatable regional diet. Also, dietary scores are gaining ground as a complementary approach for examining relations between dietary patterns and various health outcomes. A score assessing adherence to the NND has earlier been published, yet not tested for reliability. Objective : To assess the test–retest reliability of the NND score in a sample of parents of toddlers, residing in Southern Norway. Design : A questionnaire survey was completed on two occasions, approximately 14 days apart, by 67 parents of toddlers [85% females, mean age 34 years (SD=5.3 yea…
Prevalence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on the molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp., in the Paranaguá Bay, Bra…
2018
BACKGROUND: Intestinal protozoan parasites are major contributors to the global burden of gastrointestinal disease causing significant socioeconomic consequences. Children living in resource-poor settings with restricted access to water and sanitary services are particularly at risk of these infections. METHODS: A prospective, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Paraná (southern Brazil) between May 2015 and May 2016. A total of 766 stool samples were individually collected from volunteers (male/female ratio: 0.99; age range: 0-76 years) and used for investigating the presence of intestinal helminth and protozoan species by routine microscopic procedures including the Ka…